Papawai Native School.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2041, 11 March 1887, Page 2

Papawai Native School.

Mr Buchanan, on Tuesday presented the prizes to the children of the Papawai Native School.

In addressing the children Mr Buchanan said :—Mr Brittain, the Committee and children It gives me great pleasure to be here today to present so many nice books as I see before me, which as you know have been purchased out of the proceeds of the soiree held last winter. I have been looking over the copy books, and was rery pleased to find them so neat and clean and so well written. There is no doobt that great improvement has been made in this school since I last paid it a visit. 1 hope by your regular attendance, perseverance and good behaviour this year yon will endeavor to fur. ther advance in your studies. There is nothing like regular attendance, and I most here mention Bosa Mary Skeet, who was present last year 398 out of 399 times the school was open, for which she deserves the greatest credit. Speaking to the members of the Committee, he said, I hope yon will on your part do your best to keep up the attendance. I will now distribute the prizes ;

Standard 111, European.—Bosa Mary Skeet, English, William York, English, equal, M. A. Terry writing, William Skeet arithmetic, Walter Terry geography, Bosa Mary Skeet, general knowledge. Standard 11, European.—Hans Madsen, English, Mary Jane Skeet, writing, Laura Collier, arithmetic, Henry York, geography, Elizabeth Collier, general knowledge. Standard I, European.—Bachel York, Eng. lish, John Skeet, geography, Rachel York, arithmetic.

Infant Class.—Vida Collier, general know lodge.

Sewing.—Mary Ann Terry Ist prize, Mary Jane Skeet 2nd. Good Conduct Prize,—Christina Madsen. In tbe senior division of the school Wits liam Skeet won the prize for having obtained tbe highest number of marks for tbe year 1886, and Baohel York in the junior division. Standard HI, Maori.—Frank Faulkner, English, Frank Faulkner geography. Ware Waitai, geography, equal, Ware Waitai, arithmetic.

(Standard 11, Maori.—Kingi Manihera, general knowledge, Thomas Manihera, geo* graph;, Thomas Manihera, writing. Standard I, Maori,—Whenua Manihera, arithmetic, Jane King, English, Hemara King, general knowledge. Good Conduct.—Ware Waitai.

Prizes for regular attendance.—(European). Rosa Mar; Skeet 398 times present, Mar; J. Skeet 897, William Skeet 394, William York 393, John Skeet 888, Henry York 386, Frank Faulkner (Maori) 381, Mar; Ann Terr; (European) 370. These prizes are given to all who have not been absent more thau one-tenth of tbe school time.

After the children had sung, Mr Brittain, in speaking to the children, said that he wee pleased on the whole with tbe results of tbe examination held last December by the Inspector. On taking over tbe school about a year ago be had said to some friends that if he was able to pass 50 per cent he would think himself lucky, but he was glad to say that iustead of 50, 63 per cent passed. There had been good work done during the past year, but be hoped to have still better this year. Mr Brittain particularly impressed on those present that the success of the school chiefly depended en the regular attendance being kept np and the home lessons well prepared. Be must mention three children who really deserved special praise for tho way they had worked this year. Thomas Manibeta, when he came to the school last year, could hardly read, and knew very little of anything ; he had worked so well during tbe year that he jumped over tbe Ist standard and passed a good second and was now doing good work towards tbe 3rd Last year was Rachel York's first at school and she bad passed a good Ist standard and was now doing well towards the 2nd, Ware Waitai also deserved praise for the great improvement he had made in all subjects. Mr Buchanan then called upon the children to give three cheers for their teacher to whom their present success was due, which was well responded to.

Mr Buchanan then said be was going to call upon the children to give three cheers lor Mis Burch, who had taken great interest in the school, and who had worked most zeal* curly to make the soiree a success and bad also sent oyer some cake aud fruit, lor the children to enjoy during the afternoon. Mr Buchanan then led the children off with a Hip. Hip, Hurrah, which was heartily taken up by them.

Mrs Butch thauked the children, and promised them that next year they should have a good school treat at the prize distribution, on the condition that they did their best to make good progress in their lessons. Mr Brittain on behalf of himself and the Committee thanked Mr Buchanan for attending that day to give the prizes and called upon all present to give Mr Buchanan three cheers, which was heartily responded to and wliich brought the proceedings to a close. The rest of the afternoon was spent by the children in games, and at half past 8 o’clock they were supplied with cake, fruit and tea, provided by Mrs Butch. Mrs Brittain and Mrs Skeet.